Tis the season for filing taxes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  It's the end of January, which means time to grab the 2014 W-2s, receipts and documents in preparation for tax season.

Each year, the legal office opens their doors to the Incirlik Tax Resource Center to help service members and their families meet the April 15, 2015 Federal deadline.

Along with filing taxes in person through the tax resource center, the Defense Department, through Military OneSource, is also teaming up again this year with H&R Block to offer no-cost tax preparation to the military community with a promise of guaranteed accuracy, a service that otherwise could cost military families hundreds of dollars or more.

"Military OneSource offers no-cost tax consultation, no-cost tax preparation and filing to service and family members, as well as to reservists regardless of activation status, survivors, and separated service members until 180 days after their retirement, discharge or end-of-tour date," said Anthony Jackson, a Military OneSource program analyst.

Since it's online, the service is available to eligible tax-filers regardless of where they are. "They can do one federal and up to three state tax returns -- again, at no cost to the service or family member," Jackson said.

As service members prepare for this tax season, the Incirlik Tax Resource Center recommends members gather the following tax documents before stopping in or requesting an appointment:

 Your bank routing and account numbers
 Social Security number and birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents
 Childcare, education (books & supplies receipts), and adoption costs
 W-2 Forms for all employers for you and your spouse
 Investment income forms (1099 INT, 1099 DIV, 1099B)
 Alimony information (receipts, SSNs, amount)
 Social Security benefits
 Miscellaneous income
 Form 1098-E for student loan interest
 Form 1098 for home mortgage interest
 Charitable donation receipts
 Medical and dental expenses
 Real estate taxes
 Last year's tax return

All services offered by the tax center are free of charge.

According to Staff Sgt. Jason Murphy, 39th Air Base Wing Judge Advocate paralegal, the Incirlik Tax Resource Center is still in need of volunteers for the upcoming tax season.

"This volunteer opportunity is not only for military personnel, dependents are welcome to volunteer as well," Murphy said. "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance training and certification will be provided by the IRS online to new and experienced [volunteers] to assist the Incirlik community with filing their tax returns."

The center will open Feb. 8 to April 15, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to noon. Shift workers not able to come in during the allotted timeframe can schedule an appointment through the legal office. The center is located in the Connections, building 884. To contact the Incirlik center or volunteer, call, Capt. Jeremy Grunert or Staff Sgt. Jason Murphy at 676-6800.

You may also access Military OneSource from your home or office at http://www.militaryonesource.mil.

(Nick Simeone, DoD News, Defense Media Activity, contributed to this article)